Mr. Sone Inthavane and his family, who live in Donemo village in Sieng ngeun district of Luang Prabang province, are now considered as a model family due to their success raising animals on their farm. The family consists of Mr. Sone, his wife and their three children, two girls and one boy. In the past the family planted rice on their half hectare farm, but they were unable to produce enough food for their consumption, let alone a surplus to sell at the market. In 2001, the family decided to try their hands at chicken rearing. They invested their savings and purchased 10 chickens. Through hard work they were able to invest another 180,000 kip (just over USD 16) to purchase an additional 300 chickens. This investment paid off as the family was able to sell the fully-grown chickens for four million kip (about USD 370). In 2003 they increased their number of chickens to 450 and were able to generate 6.7 million kip in income. The family then turned their hand to raising pigs. Their initial investment in 20 pigs generated them 13 million kip in profits. This year the family is raising between 400 and 500 chickens and around 30 pigs. The family now makes a good living and has been able to raise their living standard dramatically. Families like that of Mr Sone are making a great contribution to poverty alleviation in Laos and helping the country to make its way out of its least developed country designation.
